NATO stresses strong Syria response needed

Sep. 2, 2013 - 10:42AM
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NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen addresses the media, during his monthly briefing at the Residence Palace in Brussels, Monday, Sept. 2, 2013. The NATO Secretary General said that the use of chemical weapons in Syria cries out for a strong international response since otherwise it would give the go-ahead to any dictator around the world to use such weapons with impunity. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe) (Yves Logghe / AP)

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BRUSSELS — NATO’s chief says he is convinced that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its people and insists a strong reaction is needed to show dictators around the world that such weapons cannot be used with impunity.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday that the alliance would remain a strong defender of Turkey in case the member state was attacked as part of the Syria crisis, and NATO would remain a forum for allies to consult about action. He says that, at the moment, he does not see an additional NATO role.

Rasmussen insisted that “personally I am convinced, not only that a chemical attack has taken place ... but I am also convinced that the Syrian regime is responsible.”